UPDATE:  Almost 30 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River after Wednesday night’s collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, DC. That’s according to Washington officials, speaking at a news conference.  The plane, operated by an American Airline subsidiary, was travelling to Ronald Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kansas. There were 64 people on the plane and three on the Black Hawk helicopter.

DC Fire and Rescue Chief John Donnelly told reporters they switching from a rescue to a recovery operation.   He said 27 people were recovered from the plane and one soldier was recovered from the helicopter.

American Airlines said the flight was inbound from Wichita, Kansas, and was holding 60 passengers and four crew members.

Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall are in touch with authorities following reports of the collision.  Moran said on his X account that the plane was inbound from Kansas, with Marshall saying he has seen reports of the collision with the inbound flight from Wichita. White House officials said it was a military chopper that collided with the aircraft.   The plane went down in the Potomac River and fireboats were on the scene along with a number of emergency crews.

American Airlines reported that the flight was PSA Flight 5342 out of Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport and there were reports of 60 people on board plus four crew members.   The flight was on a landing approach when the collision occurred.   The FAA said the plane was a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ 700 regional jet and it collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to Runway 33.   The Army said there were three soldiers on board the helicopter.

American Airlines set up an information number at 800-679-8215 for people who had friends or loved ones on the flight.

All takeoffs and landings were stopped at Reagan National Airport overnight, and the airport reopened late Thursday morning.

Kansas Congressman Ron Estes said in a post on X that the FAA has confirmed the flight was from Wichita.  He said he has been in contact with the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and local authorities now to learn more about the crash.  His office phone lines are staffed if people need more information at 202-225-6216. Congressman Tracey Mann and Congresswoman Sharice Davids said they were monitoring the situation as well.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said they were also in touch with authorities to get the latest information.  The White House said President Trump has been briefed on the crash.

[ photo:  American Airlines – Facebook ]